Latest news with #DulwichCollege
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
TOM UTLEY: The old lie that private schools are stuffed with posh, rich kids may turn into reality when Labour's VAT raid drives away strivers like the Utleys
On the day 19 years ago when I accepted a job offer from the Daily Mail – which meant a hefty increase in my salary – I took the youngest of our four sons aside and told him that I could at last afford to remove him from our local state school and send him to Dulwich College, the illustrious public school where we had sent two of his older brothers. In robust language, he let me know that nothing on earth would induce him to move from the state sector to a single-sex private school stuffed with filthy rich, arrogant, posh twits (in fact the noun he used had an 'a' in it, in place of my more printable 'i'). Actually, he could hardly have been more wrong about Dulwich – alma mater of Nigel Farage – few of whose pupils were at all posh by the standards of other great private schools. Then, as now, they tended to be the sons of aspirational small businessmen, dentists, teachers, bank clerks, civil servants, corner-shop owners and the like. Indeed, when our two oldest were there, I counted several dozen boys on the school roll who bore the surname Patel – hardly a name that reeks of landed wealth – with not a Cholmondeley-Cavendish-Grosvenor in sight. Many or even most of these boys' parents had to make great sacrifices to scrape together the money for the fees, even though these have always been comparatively modest at Dulwich, thanks to subsidies from the estate of the Elizabethan actor and impresario, Edward Alleyn (1566-1626). In our case, we managed it for our oldest two by constantly increasing our mortgage, while Mrs U took a job driving double-decker buses around London for two-and-a-half years when the money ran out. She often had to get up at four in the morning to start work, poor woman, arriving home exhausted in the evening.(She handed in her notice on that happy day when I accepted the Mail's offer – and our youngest declined mine to send him to Dulwich.) But then our youngest's prejudice against private schools and their pupils was and is far from unusual. For the fact is that Britain's class system – fast decaying, but still surviving – has bred a great deal of ill-feeling over the years. The worst sort of dimwit Hooray Henry still looks down on people who went to state schools, while there are a great many state-educated pupils, like our youngest, who look upon the products of the private system with contempt. Indeed, class hatred and resentment are among the few forms of bigotry that have yet to be banned by law (but I mustn't go putting ideas into the minds of the thought police). If my guess is right, Sir Keir Starmer's aim in launching his 20 per cent VAT raid on private school fees was chiefly to make political capital out of those feelings, since the politics of envy have always played well with a certain section of Labour's core voters. But of course he didn't put it like that in his party's election manifesto last year. Oh, no, the point of the raid was not to kick the aspirant middle classes in the teeth. Far from it. The purpose of making Britain one of the very few countries in the developed world to slap a tax on education was purely to benefit … education! The money raised by imposing the new taxes, said this utterly discredited document, would be spent on 6,500 new expert teachers, increased teacher and headteacher training, delivering work experience and careers advice for all young people, early language development in primary schools, Ofsted reform, over 3,000 new nurseries, mental health support for every school and Young Futures Hubs (whatever they may be). True, admits the Government's website, the consequent increase in fees may mean a few pupils will have to move from private schools into the state sector. But, it says, there will be no more than 35,000 of them – or 0.5 per cent of the pupil population – for whom there will be plenty of room at the local state primary or comprehensive. How's it all going, so far? Well, only seven months since the VAT raid came in, and three months since the removal of schools' charitable business rate relief, more than 30 independent institutions have already announced closures or proposed closures, displacing at least 3,350 pupils … and counting. All have cited the pressures of the new taxes as the principal reason for their decision. Of course, some of those 3,350 children so far displaced may move to other private schools. But to give some idea of the impact on the Treasury, the Guido Fawkes website calculates that if all were to move to the state sector, where it costs councils an average of £8,210 a year to educate a child, the total bill to the taxpayer would be £26.5 million. In one case alone, it emerged this week, state schools in Kent received almost 100 inquiries from parents in the 48 hours after Bishop Challoner School was forced to shut its doors, after it lost more than a third of its pupils to the tax raid. Indeed, it's become ever harder to argue with Neil O'Brien, the Shadow Education minister, when he says the likely costs to state education make a nonsense of Labour's claim that the raid would bring in up to £1.7 billion a year. 'The number of children being forced to move schools and away from their friends is much larger than Labour predicted,' he said, 'wiping out the supposed tax revenues. 'The Chancellor said every penny would go on state schools. The Prime Minister said he'd spend the money on housing instead. And given that the number of teachers in state schools is down under Labour, we can see it was all just a pack of lies.' I can say two things with certainty. One is that if this tax raid had been brought in when I was a reporter on a modest income, and Mrs U was a London bus-driver, there would have been absolutely no way we could have kept our two oldest boys at one of the best schools in the land. The other is that, yes, Dulwich College and other great private schools in the premier league for academia, sports and the arts are likely to survive. But their character is sure to change. With fees that will inevitably rise beyond the reach of the aspirant just-about-managing – and less cash available for scholarships for bright, poorer pupils like our boys – they will increasingly become the exclusive preserve of the seriously rich. Indeed, the day may be approaching when our youngest son's prejudice against private schools and their pupils may contain more than an element of truth.
Sassy Mama
18-06-2025
- General
- Sassy Mama
This School Has A Junior School Leadership Programme That Develops Lifelong Skills From A Young Age
Looking for a school that will give your child the freedom to thrive? Discover how Dulwich College (Singapore)'s Junior School Leadership Programme nurtures confident and compassionate student role models. At Dulwich College (Singapore), children are given the tools, support, and opportunities that nurture them to lead confidently and purposefully from the get-go. Thanks to their world-class Junior School Leadership Programme, students are equipped to make a positive impact in their community. By offering leadership roles in different interests and giving students the freedom to discover their voice and step up in ways that are meaningful to them, Dulwich College (Singapore) is fostering thoughtful, community-minded young changemakers who will have a positive impact on the world. Everyone gets a chance to lead Leadership at Dulwich College (Singapore) is inclusive and designed so that every child has a chance to grow. More than 250 Junior School students take up leadership roles each year–that's more than a quarter of the student body involved in some capacity! From language and reading to sustainability and community service, the roles cover a variety of interests, encouraging every child to explore their strengths and try something new with the support of teachers and peers. Becoming a student representative at this school is a thrilling experience that nurtures confidence. During Leadership Day, every student participates in a range of activities to learn about various student groups. They reflect on their interests and are encouraged to apply for roles that match their passions. Students are trusted with real responsibilities, such as working with local organisations to turn waste cotton into products they can sell or raising awareness and funds for causes that matter to them. The Annual Leadership Fair celebrates & inspires student role models The school also runs a popular annual Leadership Fair, a vibrant event that celebrates the students' voices and shows how peer mentorship takes many forms. In addition to ambassador roles, every class also elects a representative to the Year Group Student Council, giving students a say in how the school is run and reinforcing the value of democratic participation and peer respect. The outcomes of the programme are both creative and impactful. For example, one Head Student recently took her campaign on kindness to a new level—writing a song, choreographing a dance, and staging a full performance with lighting and production. Her song is now available on Spotify, showing that even at the age of 10, students can carve out their own path with creativity and vision. Nurturing confidence and a strong sense of responsibility By the time students enter Senior School, they are already seasoned mentors. They are comfortable presenting in front of large groups, managing initiatives and guiding their peers. Even students who don't take on formal roles have had chances to take initiative through classroom projects, school events, and assemblies. Leadership at Dulwich College (Singapore) is built into everyday school life, helping children develop confidence, empathy, and a strong sense of responsibility. Are you curious to learn more? Book a personalised school tour to discover how your child can grow into a confident, compassionate leader and thrive at Dulwich College (Singapore)! Dulwich College (Singapore), 71 Bukit Batok West Avenue 8, Singapore 658966, Tel: (+65) 6890 1003, [email protected],
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
The sex parties coming to a stately home near you
The affluent south London neighbourhood of Dulwich is known for many things. It has a renowned art gallery, prestigious private schools and an idyllic park. Most people don't associate it with 'wax play', naked fire shows and parties stocked with 2,000 condoms. But that's exactly what guests got at Belair House, Dulwich, in April, when it was hired by the 'naughty events' company Heaven Circle. Not surprisingly, residents were less than impressed to learn that their local Georgian manor house, just a six-minute walk from Dulwich College, was being hired out for sex parties. The East Dulwich Forum, an online message board, was brimming with disgust and outrage and complaints were lodged with the local council. 'I've noticed these sex events happening in the last few months at a place that's supposed to be a restaurant and venue,' said one resident called Michelle. 'I was planning my wedding there and was appalled by the setup for those events. When I discovered what was going on, I was disgusted by how they were using the same rooms as 'playrooms' where families are supposed to eat. The hygiene and safety concerns are just unacceptable. They're destroying a sacred, Grade II listed building, and it's just not right. The owners need to be held accountable for their actions. It's time for us to stand up and protect our heritage and ensure that these spaces are used appropriately, especially when they should be serving families and the community.' But other locals were more sanguine. 'I've been to some kids' parties at Belair House and also for brunch in the restaurant. It is a lovely venue but it's looking shabby and needs some serious renovation,' wrote Nicola, a resident of 10 years' standing. 'I am surprised that it's being used for high-end swinging parties, and I do think it would be better used as a community space which everyone can enjoy. But I don't blame the owners for needing to fund the upkeep of a building like that.' Dating back to 1785, Belair House is described on its website as a 'timeless function space that works perfectly for any occasion'. It has been used as a film set and for weddings and parties. To hire the venue for the evening on a weekend costs £7,000. Belair House didn't respond to our request for a comment. Sage Waterhouse has worked for Heaven Circle since September 2024, and says the party it held at Belair House was 'her favourite so far'. The invitation on the company's Instagram promised '500 candles, 500 roses, 1 stunning mansion from the 1700s, Two DJs, THE BIG BED, 3 playrooms, 5 performers, 1 shibari artist, 1 Domme, 2,000 condoms and 60 toys.' 'It was a wonderful venue,' she says. 'Normally our parties are held in more open-plan spaces, but this was like a townhouse, so it felt a lot more intimate and each room had a very different energy. We had naked fire shows, DJs and wax play. It was my first time modelling shibaru [the Japanese art of knot tying] and so that was very special for me.' Waterhouse says that finding venues to agree to let them host their parties is 'very difficult'. 'There are certain presumptions about the swinger lifestyle that are very misunderstood and negative, and so often when we approach a venue we'll just get a flat no,' she says. 'But the staff at Belair House were lovely and the owners of the property have nothing against us.' Heaven Circle brings all its own equipment to a venue and takes it away when a party is over. Waterhouse says that for this event – named 'Knights of St Francis' – it brought in eight single mattresses and erotic artwork. 'I understand there was a slight issue with the public and concerns about it being near schools or the venue being used for kids' parties,' she says, 'but I think it's such a shame that we face this kind of judgment.' Heaven Circle has been running since 2014, and prides itself on its exclusivity. Waterhouse explains that partygoers must apply to become a member. 'We have 12 members of staff who we call 'the masons', who verify and approve every [application] that gets sent in,' she says. 'Prices for tickets vary depending on the event and whether you're a guy, a girl or a couple, but they're typically around £80. The range of people we get is extraordinary.' Waterhouse says that the parties are funded by ticket sales and donations from wealthy individuals. 'Swinging and sex parties have definitely evolved in recent years and become more mainstream, appealing to a different kind of clientele as a result,' says Chris Haywood, a reader in critical masculinity studies at the University of Newcastle. 'The type of person who would go to a party in a mansion tends to be very different from the type who would be comfortable seeking out a traditional sex club. We're seeing more millennial and Gen Z couples, more middle-class women.' Haywood has been researching the UK swinging scene since 2018 and says that the average age for a swinger is 45, and 70 per cent of female swingers identify as straight but are 'bi-curious'. 'For many people, sex parties have shaken off their seedy image, and we're seeing black-tie balls in stately-home-type venues becoming more popular. Social media and the ability to hear about parties online has also opened up the scene in a new way.' Heaven Circle claims to have 114,000 members and Waterhouse says it will 'most likely' hold another party at Belair House. 'We've also thrown a party in a castle in Scotland and we're looking at venues in Surrey and Hertfordshire, too,' she says. 'My best party was a 'sorority party', just for women, where I arranged a nude ballerina and a human fruit table.' Meanwhile, Belair House is back to hosting more traditional events, including a Tesla test-drive event, a 40th birthday and lavish white weddings. Although, in light of the Heaven Circle bash, even the most wholesome occasions take on a new meaning. Anyone fancy tickets to the 'Sunday jazz and roast'?
Times
15-05-2025
- Times
Victim tells rapist in court: You brought me here to humiliate me
A former public schoolboy convicted of rape and sexual assault was condemned for his 'vile and predatory' crimes by one of his victims at his sentencing on Tuesday. Gabriel Hay, 28, of Clapham, southwest London, began his campaign of sexual violence aged 17 and had a 'distorted view of consent'. Inner London crown court was told that Hay, who attended Dulwich College in south London, committed his first offence — a sexual assault — at a house party in April 2014. He followed a teenage girl into a toilet, held her against a wall, exposed himself and pushed his penis against her. Two years later, in July 2016, he attempted to rape the same woman at the home he shared with his mother and siblings.
Scottish Sun
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Fury as mansion popular for hosting kids' parties secretly transformed into £200 a head SEX CLUB for swingers
It came after videos emerged of members of elite orgy club Heaven Circle reportedly romping at the Georgian property TO THE MANOR PORN TO THE MANOR PORN Fury as mansion popular for hosting kids' parties secretly transformed into £200 a head SEX CLUB for swingers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MANSION popular for hosting kids' parties in a leafy residential area was transformed into a sex club. Parents were outraged when 150 revellers flocked to Belair House for a 'secret' event. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up It came after videos emerged of members of elite orgy club Heaven Circle reportedly romping at the Georgian property. Dress code for the £200-a-head event at the Grade II-listed home was black tie for men, 'black lingerie, fetish attire and cloaks' for women. The venue, in Dulwich, South London, is 200 yards from top public school Dulwich College. One mum said: 'I associate it as a popular place for kids' parties, not for swingers. 'It feels wrong that you could be hosting a five-year-old's party with kids' entertainment a few days after a load of swingers have been having a wholly different kind of entertainment.' Another added: 'I hope it got a good clean.' She said: 'I can't believe that the same venue can be used for sex parties and family events.' Privately-owned Belair House said: 'We take our position in the community seriously. 'We're known for hosting lawful and professional private functions.' The controversial pornstar bonked 1057 men at 'fast Eddie's notorious sex party mansion'
